Keeping in Mind

"Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from evil men, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance."

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

Devote yourselves to prayer. . .

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2

It is an exciting thing to be part of what God is doing in the Body at Countryside! Lifting up, in prayer, the ministries in the Body that are blessing Him and showing His love to others is a sure way to find yourself exactly in this spot.

With this in mind, please pray for our Mexico Outreach Team as they are preparing for their departure to the Mission at Carmen Serdan this August. Mike Masonic is the leader of this group and has brought up several requests to keep in mind when praying for the team this year.

• Preparation of the hearts & minds, by the Lord, of those going on the trip
• Provision of transportation for the drive down to Mexico
• Unity in the group to enable them to best serve the Body of Christ

His Sight or Ours?

How often do we forget that the wisdom and guidance of the God who made the heaven and earth is ours simply for the asking? Sadly enough, I find myself in this spot way too often. We evaluate the situations at hand with eyes that only see in part, as 1 Corinthians 13:2 reminds.

Recently, I've been studying two very different men in 1 & 2 Samuel. The two in the spotlight are Saul and David.

Saul, on one hand, is too often caught impulsively rushing into his own ideas and plans, leaving God's timing back in a cloud of dust. Take a look! He sacrifices to the Lord without waiting for Samuel (1 Samuel 13:8-9); doesn't kill the Amalekite king, when told (1 Samuel 15:9); launches spears at David to prevent the Lord's anointed from being king (1 Samuel 18:10-11 & 19:10); and pursues the help of a witch in Endor (1 Samuel 28:6-7). For Saul, God's wisdom wasn't given a second thought.

David, on the other hand, displays his trust in the Lord's wisdom above his own. Over seven times he faces an important decision by inquiring of the Lord, "Shall I . . .", then presents the decision he faces; he spares Saul's life several instances (1 Samuel 24:4 & 26:9), allowing God's will versus his own personal feelings; and he even encourages God to choose his own punishment when given the choice (2 Samuel 24:14). Time and time again David acknowledges the Lord in his choices.

So, who are you more like? Saul or David? Do you depend on your sight or seek the Lord's? The oportunity is yours. You too can remember, like David, to inquire after God's guidance instead of trusting your own. You can:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5

--Lacy Masonic
Prayer Ministry